The Way Out of AnxietySample

1 Peter 5: 7 reminds us to “Cast your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.”

The word “cast” is not passive. It is an active word. It doesn’t say all your worries will melt away. It says “cast” or throw away from you. Casting takes intentionality and obedience.

Here’s how Charles Spurgeon says it:

This work of casting can be so difficult that we need to use two hands to do it: the hand of prayer and the hand of faith. “Prayer tells God what the care is and asks God to help, while faith believes that God can and will do it."

I love that concept of two hands—prayer and faith.

That idea is reflected in Philippians 4: 6-7, another powerful and practical chapter about anxiety. It says: Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests before God and the peace of God which transcends understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer and petition reflect the action of humbling ourselves before God and saying, “Lord, I need you. I can’t do this on my own.” And thanksgiving reflects our action of standing in awe of God to say, “Lord, I thank You for who You are and what You’ve done for me.”

Through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, we get to exchange our anxiety for His peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflect

Am I actively casting my cares on Him through prayer and petition with thanksgiving? Am I so focused on the gift that I'm praying for that I forget the Giver?

Lean In

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the open door of prayer always set before me. Thank You that I get to cast all my burdens on You. Not some, but all of them. You invite me to do that. What a privilege and honor. In Jesus’ name. Amen